Game apparatus



Oct. 26, 1937.

C. R. HOPE GAME APPARATUS Filed July 19, 1955 AVII RY/I/I Claferme A. 2 2;? v

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Patented Oct. 26, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a game device and provides a structure necessitating expert synchronization between a manually rotated dial and a moving element. in the form of a travelling .ball projected from an inclined chute. More specifically the present game apparatus includes a, rotatable projecting dial comprising a disk formed with a series of centrally radiating ribs, and a downwardly inclined discharge chute for directing a ball along a trough, the latter extending in a direction intersecting the vertical axis of the dial, whereby balls placed in the discharge chute will travel to the dial and contact one of the series of ribs and be projected by these ribs into pockets suitably positioned to receive the same.

Other objects and advantages will more clearly hereinafter appear by reference'to the following specification, claims and attached drawing wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a top plan View.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on line 2-2 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a transverse section on line 33 of Figure 1.

The structure includes a frame comprising side members I, end members 2 and central panel 3, supported by angular corner legs 4 as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3. Elements l, 2, and 3 of the frame structure are in the form of. horizontally positioned panels which are secured together at the various joints by any suitable means which will insure a rigid structure. Extending around the outer edge of the frame and supported thereupon is the super-frame 5 upon which is mounted the top board 6. The frame 5 may be constructed of wooden panels and is of such construction as to provide a suitable space for the formation of a chute as will hereinafter appear. These super-frame panels extend only along the two longitudinal edges and the rear edge, leaving the front portion open for the positioning of the chute. The top board 6 may be made in one or several sections and includes the central longitudinally extending slot indicated by reference numeral 1 and the circular opening 8 in which the projecting dial is located. The front edge of the top board is cut away for a portion of its length at 9 to permit the inward seating of the support I0 which is notched to receive the inclined chute II, the inner end of which is positioned within the walls of the slot 1 formed in the top board. In Figure 3 the trough structure I 2 is shown, this trough including a bottom wall and two side walls, the inner faces of the later being arranged flush with the inner faces forming the slot of the top board. The inner end of the inclined chute l I rests upon the bottom of the trough and functions to form a continuation of the same for the purpose later to be mentioned.

Within the circular opening formed in the top board is arranged the projecting spinning disk 10 I5 constructed in any suitable manner and providing an outwardly and downwardly inclined top face l6 upon which are arranged a series of central radiating ribs H, in the present illustration to be four in number. The projecting disk is supported in a bearing l8 carried by transverse support 19, the bearing being of conventional design and including a conical extremity as shown. The supporting bearing extends axially through the disk and projects above the latter to provide a handle to be engaged to cause the spinning of this element. The handle 20 may be formed with a knurl knob or extremity 2| to improve the gripping surface.

Formed about the projecting disk l5 are a series of pockets 22, 23, the pockets 22 being formed in the adjacent wall of the structure at transverse diametrically opposed points and the pocket 23 is positioned axially of the chute 1.

It will be noted by reference to Figure 2 that a filler block 24 is positioned between the top board 6 and the frame 2 so that the pockets may extend from the base of the projecting disk, which is in line with the topsurface of the frame 2 vertically through the top board. Each of the pockets includes offset sections 25 to assist in retaining the ball after being projected therein.

In the operation of the structure a marble or other ball may be utilized, preferably of the size of approximately of an inch and formed of polished steel. The ball is held between the thumb and the index finger of the left hand and is brought to rest at approximately the top of the inclined chute ll. At this time the projecting disk I5 is rotated by gripping the handle 2| between the thumb and fore-finger of the right hand. The player sights the movement of the dial and the relative position of the ribs I! and at the proper time releases the ball and permits it to roll down the inclined chute which causes its travel along the trough 1 on to the projecting disk where it will be engaged by one of the radiating ribs II. If the release of the ball is timed correctly, it will intersect one of the ribs in such a manner as to strike the same on the side and not on the top or on the end and will be propelled against the side of the circular opening in which the disk 15 is positioned to rebound against the rib forming a triangle in its line of travel. Obviously the proper timing will govern the projection of the ball by the ribs into the respective pockets, the latter having difierent values to enable competitive playing.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a structure has been developed which provides an amusement apparatus that requires considerable skill and will afford the desirable attraction and competition in play. The rotation of the dial carrying the projecting ribs will of course have a definite relation to the release of the ball in the chute and the desired synchronization between the ball and the rotating disk will necessitate a great degree of expertness. Numerous arrangements canbe made for playing different games involving different scoring. It will be of course, practical for the players to select the number of balls each is to play and the sequence of play and the desired counting as represented by the value of the'pockets in which the balls will ultimately be located.

.to project a missile and including a frame, a

panel formed with a circular opening, a runway formed in said panel to intersect said opening,'a rotatable disk having an inclined upper face positioned in said opening, ribs radiating from the center of said disk, pockets formed in the wall enclosing said disk, and an inclinedtrough supported by said frame and terminating at its lower end in said runway, whereby a projectile positioned in said trough will travel said runway and be engaged and be re-projected by the radiating ribs upon rotation of the disk.

- CLARENCE R. HOPE. 

